Description: The origin of this carol is uncertain. According to the tradition, it was composed in 1754 under the title Per la nascita di Gesù by st. Alphonsus in Deliceto, in the province of Foggia. Two different melodies are associated to this text: the better known is very close to Tu scendi dalle stelle. It is the only Italian song included in The Oxford Book of Carols.

When the Infant Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
It was night but it looked like noon.
Never the stars - so brilliant and beautiful,
Were so visible:
The most sparkling
Went to summon the Wise Men in the East.

Quickly the birds awoke
Singing in a completely new way.
Even the crickets - with their screeches
And hopping here and there;
He is born, he is born,
they said, the God who made us all.

There were no enemies on earth:
The sheep pastured with the lion,
The leopard - was seen
Playing with the kid,
The bear with the calf
And the wolf with the lamb were in peace.

So, the World was messed up,
The sky, the earth, the sea, all the people.
Who was sleeping - kept feeling
his heart beating wildly in his chest
for the happiness;
and peace and jollity sounded in the air.

The Shepherds were watching their sheep
And an angel, more resplendent than the sun,
Appeared - and told them:
Don’t be afraid, no;
Happiness and laughter,
Earth has become Paradise.

In the dark today is born in Bethlehem
The awaited Savior of the World.
You will found him in swaddling clothes,
You can - never mistake,
Wrapped,
And in a manger laid.